Tips for a Laid Back Summer

This post is sponsored by Fruit Shoot. All opinions are my own. #FruitShootUSA

We’ve been off of school for about a month now, but I know many kids are just having their “last days”. I am a big champion for structure and organization throughout the school year, but when summer rolls around, all bets are off. I was explaining this to my sister when she came to visit last week. Normally, there is a lot more to do during our days but with school out, we are embracing the less is more way of life. I think it can be hard not to try and fill those few months with something for the kids, so today, I’m sharing how we are getting by with a minimal, laid back kind of summer vacation.

Piper is still only three, so her summer is like any other time of the year really but for Addie, she is enjoying having less stipulations on her daily life. I’ve kept it simple with her with a few rules. She must play outside for a while most days, she must read two chapters of a book and she has to clean her room.

Aside from being outside, reading and keeping her room tidy, she is free to do what she wants. This takes a lot of pressure off of me as a parent because from the get go, I decided this summer would be a true break for us all. Giving Addie more freedom gives me the same. I am free to work whenever I need to, I am free to be lazy right alongside my girls and our summer is a little more stress free.

Tip 1:

Decide what you want out of your break. Relaxing and taking a beat is our first priority. I also wanted to be sure Addie kept up with her reading so when Second Grade comes, there’s been no lapse. I realize we have quite a bit more freedom to do what we want because we are home schooled and I stay home full time but even if that isn’t your reality, deciding what Summer ’17 is going to mean for your family will help you prioritize and say no to things that just don’t fit.

Tip 2:

If a trip isn’t realistic for your family (it isn’t for us), plan a couple fun activities you know will work. Addie received a scholarship for a week long at camp earlier in the year, so she will be attending that this summer. It will give her a chance to get away for a few hours each day while also making new friends and exploring her creative side. We also have visits from family planned. Like I said earlier, my sister visited us for a week. The girls got to enjoy a couple sugar fueled sleepovers with her and their grandma will be here from Florida for about a month here soon. This gives the girls some break in the unavoidable monotony.

Tip 3:

Use the summer to work on new skills. Addie is pretty good at making her own breakfast and lunch but she’s picking up on doing her own dishes now. If teaching your kids to be a little more independent with meals is your goal, I like to pick up things I know they can put together on their own. Sandwich fixin’s and easy grab-able drinks like these Fruit Shoots are a good start. I love to grab easy things for them so that they are fairly dependent on themselves throughout the day. I love these drinks because they are less messy, and they last a little longer than your average juice box or pouch. They also don’t spill as easy! You can find them at your local Walmart.

Tip 4:

Be okay with the days where nothing gets accomplished or ‘done’. Those are the best days! I found myself feeling majorly guilty for the time Addie was spending on Roblox or Minecraft, then I remembered- this is her break too. As long as she’s reading and playing outside some, why isn’t it okay that she do what she loves the rest of the time? Don’t compare yourself to everyone else and the summer break they are having. Figure out what your expectations are, what your kids want to do with their summer, and go from there. I like bringing back old school do nothing days in the heat of the summer. I enjoy no plans, and a laid back vibe. If that’s your goal too, remember it starts with you!